Testicular Nitric Oxide and Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances Levels in Obstructive Azoospermia: A Possible Role in Pathophysiology of Infertility

摘要

Objective. The aim of the study is to evaluate the levels of nitriteitrate and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and their relationship with seminal parameters in experimental obstructive azoospermic rats to explain the possible mechanism of impaired sperm quality in obstructive azoospermia.Methods. A total of 10 male Spraque-Dawley rats underwent bilateral vas resection and ligation (Group-1=vasectomy group). The findings were compared with control group (Group-2=sham group,n=10). Animals were sacrificed 8 weeks after surgery. Testes were removed and used for the evaluation of nitrateitrite and TBARS levels and for histology. Epididymal-aspirated seminal plasma was used for semen count and morphological analysis according to the Kruger criteria.Results. Testicular tissue nitrateitrite and TBARS levels were35.7±3.1μmol/g protein and3.7±0.1nmol/g protein in Group-1, and19.3±0.7μmol/g protein and3.1±0.1nmol/g protein in Group-2, respectively. Both parameters showed statistical differences between the two groups. Testicular tissue nitrateitrite and TBARS levels showed negative and statistically significant correlations with sperm motility and morphology.Conclusions. The present study showed that testicular nitrateitrite and TBARS levels were increased in obstructive azoospermia. For that reason, we concluded that antioxidant treatment can be recommended to patients before sperm extraction for artificial reproduction due to obstructive infertility after vasectomy reversal.